Duncan Hunter Argues Cost of New Border Fence Construction is Affordable

KPBS.ORG ^ | 15 JANUARY 2007 | AP

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

An area Congressman who advocates tighter border control, Duncan Hunter, is trying to counter reports that the well-publicized fence along the border with Mexico will cost tens of billions of dollars. Bob Costantini has details from Capitol Hill, where Hunter claims his numbers are much lower.

It is known as the 700 mile fence, though proponents now figure the border barriers approved by Congress in the waning days of republican control will total more than 850 miles. One of its staunchest supporters, San Diego Republican Duncan Hunter wants to counter last week’s estimate by the Congressional Research Office that construction could go as high as 50 billion dollars.

Duncan Hunter: We have actual bids from fence-building companies that say it will cost one twentieth of what the "mission impossible" crowd says it will cost.

That would put the tab for the entire fence, or wall, at little more than two billion dollars, about half of which Congress has already approved. Hunter is worried about the new Democratic majority. Duncan Hunter: …trying to subvert the will of the American people. The American people built a border fence in San Diego. It’s a double fence. It works.

But 51st District Democrat Bob Filner, who represents the state’s entire border with Mexico, says despite the law passed last year, the fence will never be built. Bob Filner: The administration doesn’t want it. The Congress didn’t put in very much funding, last year. The new Congress will not fund this wall. So I think it’s a moot question to start arguing the cost. I just don’t think it’s going to be built.

Hunter insists the fence is set in the law signed by President Bush late last year, even if not a single post has been set. From Capitol Hill, Bob Costantini, KPBS News.

[truthkeeper]

Duncan Hunter: We have actual bids from fence-building companies that say it will cost one twentieth of what the "mission impossible" crowd says it will cost.

Somehow this doesn't surprise me in the least.

[DuncanWaring]

If you think the fence would be expensive, look at the cost of "no fence".

[proudofthesouth]

Go Duncan! Hey, how about having John Cox or Tom Tancredo as your running mate??

[Plutarch]

The article doesn't mention it, but that area Congressman, Duncan Hunter, is running for President!

[kc8ukw]

Good for him.

[Reaganwuzthebest]

This is why we need Hunter for president. I don't doubt if he's elected the fence will go up.

[upchuck]

Of all the "republican" presidential wannabees wandering around the country begging for votes, Duncan Hunter is da' man!

As of now he's the only one I could vote for with a clear conscious:

Pro-life, pro-gun, pro-low taxes, pro-smaller government, pro-free speech, anti-gay marriage, anti-illegal alien...

As a conservative, should I ask for more? That's NOT a rhetorical question.

[lesser_satan]

I nominate this guy for VP.

[mdefranc]

You say that Hunter is pro-smaller government. Does his voting record support that? What spending has he voted against?

[Marty]

Forget the fence. We need a nice, deep, wide canal. Good for keeping people out, good for tourism, good for shipping, good for jobs.

[ModelBreaker]

It may be cost-effective. But it is now politically impossible. It was a very near thing even with R control of all three branches.

[Joe Boucher]

Lots cheaper then paying for the costs of illegals medical costs and all the other costs associated with them.

[Pearls Before Swine]

It was a very near thing even with R control of all three branches.

There was no R leadership on this. Its not as if W really wanted it. "Comprehensive solution." Fence, but no funding.

[onyx]

BUMP!

[Afronaut]

I can get a wall built for a that money. (I would need illegal labor though)

Hunter is the Real McCoy.

[Joe Boucher]

Hell, use prisoner labor. Get the criminals out working and not watching t.v. and pumping iron.
Aslo use illegals as slave labor and I guarantee ya they won't come back.

[upchuck]

You say that Hunter is pro-smaller government. Does his voting record support that? What spending has he voted against?

Here ya go...

• Voted YES on retaining reduced taxes on capital gains & dividends. (Dec 2005)
• Voted YES on providing tax relief and simplification. (Sep 2004)
• Voted YES on making permanent an increase in the child tax credit. (May 2004)
• Voted YES on permanently eliminating the marriage penalty. (Apr 2004)
• Voted YES on making the Bush tax cuts permanent. (Apr 2002)
• Voted YES on $99 B economic stimulus: capital gains & income tax cuts. (Oct 2001)
• Voted YES on Tax cut package of $958 B over 10 years. (May 2001)
• Voted YES on eliminating the Estate Tax ("death tax"). (Apr 2001)
• Voted YES on eliminating the "marriage penalty". (Jul 2000)
• Voted YES on $46 billion in tax cuts for small business. (Mar 2000)
• Phaseout the death tax. (Mar 2001)
• Rated 58% by NTU, indicating "Satisfactory" on tax votes. (Dec 2003)
• Repeal marriage tax; cut middle class taxes. (Sep 1994)

Source.

[mdefranc]

Thank you for that good taxation summary.

Hunter indeed does appear to be solid on conventional tax issues, but my question pertained to his failure to oppose the funding of big governmment. Evidently, if a bill is a spending bill, Hunter automatically votes for it.

[azhenfud]

Duncan Hunter: We have actual bids from fence-building companies that say it will cost one twentieth of what the "mission impossible" crowd says it will cost.